Professor Robert Tyzbir, in his role as University Herald, led the event.

In a formal flourish of rank and protocol: amid college banners, flowing academic regalia, marshals, heralds, honor guards, pipes, drums, singers, nationally recognized dignitaries and the gleam of the symbolic University of Vermont memorial mace and presidential medallion, the 26th University of Vermont president officially took office Oct. 5, 2012. The installation to office of E. Thomas Sullivan witnessed and applauded by a crowd of faculty, staff, donors, community leaders, alumni and students and their families filling the pews and balcony of Ira Allen Chapel on campus.

Our College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) played a significant roll in the ceremony. Among attendees, Professors David Barrington served on the presidential search committee, Robert Tyzbir was University Marshal, CALS senior Maria Carabello carried the College's banner and Tom Vogelmann sat among the deans.

in perhaps prophetic remarks by Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin, Vermont's U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, University of Minnesota President Emeritus Robert Bruininks and the 42nd U.S. Vice President Walter Mondale charged Sullivan with the tasks of making tough decisions and at the same time collaborating with and inspiring others. As Mondale said, “A president… must unite imagination and vision with practical know-how and be ready to make progress the old-fashioned way: through hard work and determination.”

Sullivan outlined his plan for UVM, just as he has since his arrival in July to smaller groups on campusi, in his statewide travels,to the media and again Oct. 9 in an email to the UVM community:

“We must provide our students access to success through more scholarships and financial aid. Affordability must be our top priority!

We must advance academic excellence by rebalancing priorities and investing in this University’s strengths to create a distinctive teaching and learning environment.

We must improve facilities and support creative endeavors and breakthrough research for our faculty and staff to attract and retain talent of the highest quality.

Central to our mission are public service, civic engagement, and outreach throughout Vermont to further economic development, health, civic life, and environmental sustainability. We seek to inspire students to apply what they learn here and to build vibrant communities wherever they live.”